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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday pledged to bolster the nation&#39;s fight against three major infectious diseases that claim thousands of lives annually during a meeting with international health financing officials in Islamabad. According to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif met with a delegation of the Global Fund, led by Head of Grant Management Mark Edington. Senior Portfolio Manager Izaskun Gaviria and Deputy General Counsel Natasha Heffinck also attended. PM Sharif told the delegation that Pakistan values its partnership with the Global Fund as essential to strengthening the country&#39;s healthcare infrastructure. He announced plans to establish a joint task force with the organization to prevent HIV transmission in Pakistan. &ldquo;The government is determined to eliminate all three diseases,&rdquo; the prime minister said. Pakistan&#39;s health ministry provided the delegation with details on current disease prevention initiatives. The Global Fund representatives commended the government&#39;s efforts and pledged continued partnership. The meeting included federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Syed Mustafa Kamal, and Attaullah Tarar, as well as the prime minister&#39;s polio eradication coordinator. Pakistan&#39;s expanding health response Pakistan has gained ground in its fight against the three infectious diseases in recent years. The National AIDS Control Program reported more than 76,000 documented HIV cases nationwide, with roughly 55,500 people accessing treatment. The virus spreads primarily among high-risk populations, among which targeted prevention strategies are yielding measurable results. Malaria cases, meanwhile, had peaked following the devastating 2022 floods. The Directorate of Malaria Control reported that cases surged above 2.8 million during the crisis, but recent interventions have begun to reverse&nbsp;that trend. The year 2025 recorded a 10% decline from 2024. Balochistan and Sindh provinces, traditionally the hardest hit areas, were seeing improved outcomes through expanded prevention efforts. Meanwhile, tuberculosis remains a challenge, but the government has been mobilizing resources to combat it. According to the National TB Control Program, the country ranks fifth worldwide in TB burden and carries roughly one-third of all infections across its region. The program reported nearly 670,000 people received treatment annually, with approximately 51,000 deaths, as the government works to reduce cases through new treatment networks.

A delegation of Global Fund meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (PMO)

Health

Government announces the formation of a new joint task force to accelerate efforts to prevent HIV and strengthen overall disease control measures nationwide.

Pakistan PM pledges full government efforts in fight against malaria, HIV and tuberculosis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday called for collective efforts to strengthen food safety standards and ensure access to safe and nutritious food, marking World Food Safety Day 2026. In separate messages, the two leaders stressed the importance of food safety for public health, food security and sustainable development. President Zardari urged all stakeholders to promote safe food practices and ensure compliance with food safety standards across the food chain. He said safe food protects public health, strengthens consumer confidence, supports livelihoods and contributes to economic growth. The president emphasized the need for science-based food safety measures, stronger inspection systems, improved laboratory capacity and greater investment in food safety infrastructure and awareness programs. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan remains committed to ensuring access to safe and nutritious food free from disease and contamination risks. Referring to this year&#39;s theme, &ldquo;From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere,&rdquo; the prime minister highlighted the importance of preventing and managing foodborne diseases. He cited a World Health Organization report showing that around 866 million people fall ill annually due to contaminated food, while nearly 1.5 million lose their lives from foodborne diseases worldwide. The prime minister said Pakistan was pursuing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen food security and agricultural productivity through research, technology, improved seeds, modern farm machinery, better storage facilities and stronger market systems. According to the prime minister, unsafe food also contributes to reduced productivity, rising healthcare costs, economic losses and disruptions to tourism and trade. Sharif said Pakistan&#39;s agriculture sector, despite being supported by fertile land and significant agricultural potential, faces challenges including climate change, water scarcity, population growth, changing consumption patterns and inadequate research. He said the Ministry of National Food Security and Research was implementing a range of measures based on agricultural research and technology to strengthen food security, increase productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change.&nbsp; These measures include the provision of quality seeds, improved access to agricultural inputs, greater use of farm machinery, stronger value chains, enhanced storage facilities and improved market systems. Both the president and the prime minister called for cooperation among governments, research institutions, the private sector, civil society and citizens to build a safer, healthier and more resilient food system in Pakistan.

A farmer harvesting wheat in Pasni, Balochistan, under the sun.

President Zardari urges all stakeholders to promote safe food practices and ensure compliance with food safety standards across the food chain; PM says the government is implementing a range of measures based on agricultural research and technology to strengthen food security, increase productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Pakistan president, PM call for stronger food safety measures

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger legislation and enforcement measures to protect the country&#39;s population from the harms of tobacco and nicotine products in a message issued on May 31, World No Tobacco Day. President Zardari said tobacco continues to pose &quot;a serious threat to public health and economic well-being across the world, including Pakistan.&quot; President Zardari stated: &quot;The time has come that, besides other issues, our national parliament and provincial legislatures make laws and create effective enforcement mechanisms to protect our people and future generations and effectively resist the merchants of death.&quot; Citing World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, he noted that tobacco causes &quot;more than 7 million deaths every year worldwide, including about 1.6 million deaths from second-hand smoke exposure.&quot; &quot;These figures should compel us to reflect on the scale of a public health challenge that continues to affect millions of people and families,&quot; he said. The president said that &quot;children and young people remain particularly vulnerable&quot; and that the tobacco and nicotine industry &quot;continues to target younger generations through evolving products and marketing approaches designed to create and sustain addiction.&quot; He added that &quot;early exposure to nicotine heightens the risk of lifelong dependence and adverse health outcomes.&quot;&nbsp;Vaping and e-cigarettesReferring to recent research, President Zardari said that &quot;the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, nicotine pouches and other nicotine products presents growing public health concerns.&quot; He also cited &quot;concerning patterns of poly-substance use, where tobacco and nicotine products may coexist with other harmful substances, creating serious risks for young people and communities.&quot; &quot;Stronger awareness, regulation and prevention efforts are essential,&quot; he said. The president said widespread second-hand smoke exposure increases children&#39;s vulnerability to &quot;asthma, pneumonia, ear infections, low birth weight and sudden infant death,&quot; while tobacco products are &quot;closely linked with a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions.&quot; He said, &quot;As your elder and as your head of state, I must tell you that this day is a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect current and future generations from the harms of tobacco products.&quot; Call for shaping awareness&nbsp;The president&nbsp;also said that &quot;parents, teachers, artists, poets, singers, musicians, actors, playwrights, healthcare professionals and community leaders all have a role in shaping awareness, discouraging the use of tobacco products and creating an ecosystem to protect our people.&quot; &quot;Change at the household and community level can contribute meaningfully to national progress in public health,&quot; he said.

Says, ‘The time has come that besides other issues, our national parliament and provincial legislatures make laws and create effective enforcement mechanisms to protect our people and future generations and effectively resist the merchants of death.’

Pakistan president calls for stronger laws on World No Tobacco Day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a targeted, week-long polio vaccination campaign across 79 high-risk districts, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) announced on Monday.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-to-launch-polio-vaccination-campaign-in-highrisk-districts-from-may-18" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Running until May 24</a>, the drive aims to administer oral polio vaccine drops to nearly 19 million children under five and is being carried out simultaneously with a coordinated campaign in Afghanistan as part of regional eradication efforts.&nbsp;In Punjab, the campaign will reach about 6.19 million children across 10 districts, while Sindh will cover roughly 5.79 million children in 20 districts.&nbsp;Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plans to vaccinate about 4.61 million children in 23 districts, and Balochistan aims to reach approximately 1.99 million children in 25 districts. Around 450,000 children in Islamabad will also receive drops during the week.&nbsp;The NEOC urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams, provide access to vaccinators and ensure every eligible child receives the life-saving drops, stressing that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility.&nbsp;Pakistan has made substantial progress since launching its eradication program in 1994, when more than 20,000 cases were reported annually.&nbsp;Decades of sustained vaccination, improved surveillance, and coordinated public health action have dramatically reduced the burden of disease: 31 cases were recorded in 2025, and only three confirmed cases have been reported so far in 2026.&nbsp;Health officials cautioned, however, that the virus still circulates silently in some areas, making continued vaccination essential. &ldquo;While progress is encouraging, every missed child is an opportunity for the virus to persist and spread,&rdquo; the NEOC said.

NEOC urges parents to cooperate with vaccination teams, provide access to vaccinators and ensure every eligible child receives the life-saving drops, stressing that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility.

Pakistan launches week-long polio drive in 79 high-risk districts

<h3 style="line-height: 2;">ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday paid tributes to nurses around the world, particularly in Pakistan, for their selfless services to humanity on the occasion of International Nurses Day.</h3> In his message marking the day, the prime minister said nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system and remain on the frontline of human service even under difficult circumstances. He said International Nurses Day, designated globally by the International Council of Nurses, also highlights the importance of international cooperation in the medical field. This year, the day is being observed under the theme, &ldquo;Nurses: Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.&rdquo; PM Sharif said the theme reflects the importance of professional expertise and quality medical training for nurses.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 794px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2054089163629310176&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2b673c4787e645d26906f1b6864495ba3c2f915e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said nurses equipped with modern training can save precious lives through timely medical assistance, adding that their invaluable services are a source of pride. The prime minister said the care and compassion shown by nurses towards patients reflects the true spirit of humanity and public service. He added that the effective provision of basic healthcare facilities in any country is not possible without the dedicated services of nurses. PM Sharif further stated that the strength of the healthcare sector largely depends on a balanced ratio of doctors and nurses. He said the government is committed to improving this ratio across the country and is working with provincial governments and relevant authorities to formulate an effective strategy in this regard.

Highlights their role in healthcare and reaffirms the government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s medical workforce and nursing sector.

Pakistan PM pays tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday praised Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for its role in disaster relief, healthcare services and community outreach efforts across the country. According to a statement released by Prime Minister&#39;s Office on X, Sharif paid tribute to volunteers, staff and partners of PRCS for their humanitarian services across the country. Sharif praised PRCS for its contributions in disaster relief, blood supply services, healthcare and community outreach programs. &ldquo;The government values the organization&rsquo;s services and remains committed to further strengthening cooperation with it in the future,&rdquo; the prime minister said. World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed annually on May 8th to recognize the humanitarian work of volunteers and aid workers around the world. <iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2052636281981571418&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5756%2F&sessionId=7c47ec99914b7d81f1d14d1426187414d73e6dc0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 668px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe><div class="fr-embed">&nbsp;</div>He wrote, &quot;this year, the day is being observed under the theme United in Humanity. This theme highlights the enduring power of humanity, compassion, and solidarity.&quot; The prime minister said, &quot;The government is taking practical measures to provide more effective responses to disasters and emergencies, easy access to world-class health facilities, and special protection for the vulnerable segments of society.&quot; He said the measures include strengthening early warning systems, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting health facilities at the community level, and improving coordination between federal and provincial institutions.&nbsp;The prime minister said efforts are also underway to enhance the capacity and readiness of volunteers and first responders for swift and effective responses to emergencies at the public level. Social volunteers prepared for humanitarian service play a pivotal role on the front lines. Marking the occasion, he appealed to all citizens to embrace the values of compassion, volunteer service, and solidarity.&nbsp; &quot;Let us all unite in our resolve to serve humanity and provide every possible assistance to those in need.&quot; Meanwhile, President Zardari said the day highlighted the important role humanitarian workers play in strengthening health systems, responding to emergencies and assisting people in need. &ldquo;The occasion serves as a reminder of the vital role humanitarian workers play in strengthening health systems, responding to emergencies and assisting those most in need,&rdquo; he said. The president urged government institutions, humanitarian organizations and civil society to renew their commitment to &ldquo;humanity, solidarity and public service&rdquo; to help build a safer, healthier and more inclusive Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif- (Photo: Radio Pakistan)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised Pakistan Red Crescent Society for its humanitarian work in disaster relief, healthcare, blood supply and community outreach.

Pakistan PM, president praise Red Crescent Society for its contributions to healthcare 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will launch a special polio vaccination campaign in 79 selected districts across the country from May 18 to 24, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said on Wednesday. &ldquo;This is a targeted campaign taking place in high-risk districts across the country,&rdquo; an NEOC spokesperson told Pakistan TV Digital. Nearly 19 million children will be administered polio drops during the week-long drive. The campaign will be conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of coordinated regional efforts to eradicate the virus.&nbsp;In Punjab, around 6.19 million children will be vaccinated in 10 districts. Sindh will cover 5.79 million children in 20 districts, while 4.61 million children will receive drops in 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;In Balochistan, the campaign aims to vaccinate 1.99 million children in 25 districts. Meanwhile, about 450,000 children in Islamabad will also be administered polio drops.&nbsp;The NEOC emphasized that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility. It urged parents to fully cooperate with polio teams, ensure access to vaccinators, and make sure their children receive the life-saving drops.&nbsp;Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio is still endemic, and authorities continue to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-launches-2026-polio-campaign-for-45-million-children" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">intensify efforts to eliminate the disease</a> through nationwide vaccination campaigns.

Pakistan inaugurated its first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 on Monday. (File photo: Polio Free Pakistan)

NEOC emphasizes that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility; urges parents to fully cooperate with polio teams, ensure access to vaccinators, and make sure their children receive the life-saving drops.


Pakistan to launch polio vaccination campaign in high-risk districts from May 18

GENEVA: Hantavirus, being linked to deaths on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, circulates in rodents and can be deadly when transmitted to humans. Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed Monday it was dealing with &quot;a serious medical situation&quot; on board the MV Hondius, travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde. Hantaviruses can cause respiratory and cardiac distress, as well as hemorrhagic fevers. There are no vaccines or specific medications to combat hantaviruses &mdash; meaning treatment consists solely of attempting to relieve the symptoms. The virusEach hantavirus is associated with a specific rodent reservoir species, in which it can cause long-term infection without apparent illness. Only a few hantavirus species are known to cause human disease. The virus is named after the Hantan River in South Korea, where more than 3,000 troops fell seriously ill after becoming infected with it during the 1950-1953 Korean War, Switzerland&#39;s FOPH health ministry says. Transmission&nbsp;Transmission of hantaviruses to humans occurs from contact with contaminated urine, droppings or saliva of infected wild rodents, such as mice or rats. More rarely, infection may occur through bites. The French National Public Health Agency says human infection generally occurs through inhaling contaminated dust and aerosols. The only way to minimize the risk of infection is to avoid contact with rodents and their secretions and excretions. Andes virus, found in South America, is the only known hantavirus for which limited human‑to‑human transmission has been documented, and only then linked to &quot;close and prolonged contact&quot;, says the World Health Organization. The WHO&#39;s epidemic preparedness chief, Maria Van Kerkhove, said Monday that based on previous outbreaks, &quot;the overall risk to the public is low.&quot; Diagnosis&nbsp;The WHO says early diagnosis &quot;can be challenging&quot; as the symptoms resemble several other respiratory illnesses, such as Covid-19. Suspected cases can be confirmed through various laboratory tests, according to the WHO, including through &quot;the presence of hantavirus-specific IgM antibodies.&quot; Van Kerkhove said the WHO was working to understand the source of exposure through epidemiological investigations, along with contact tracing and lab tests. Symptoms&quot;In the Americas, infection has been known to lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart, while in Europe and Asia hantaviruses has been known to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys and blood vessels,&quot; says the WHO. Different health authorities give varying time periods between exposure and symptoms starting to appear. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the Americas, symptoms usually start to show one to eight weeks after contact, while HFRS symptoms usually develop within one to two weeks. Early symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. In HCPS, the disease may progress rapidly to cough, shortness of breath, accumulation of fluid in the lungs and shock, says the WHO, while with HFRS, later stages may include low blood pressure, bleeding disorders and kidney failure. Case numbers, fatality rate&nbsp;Worldwide, it is estimated that from 10,000 to over 100,000 infections occur each year, with the largest burden in Asia and Europe, says the WHO. HFRS accounts for many thousands of cases annually in East Asia, particularly in China and South Korea. The case fatality rate is between less than one percent to 15% in Asia and Europe, the WHO says. Despite the much lower incidence, HCPS has a case fatality rate commonly between 20% and 40%, says the WHO, making it a disease of major public health concern.

Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirms it was dealing with "a serious medical situation" on board the MV Hondius, travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde; Hantaviruses can cause respiratory and cardiac distress, as well as hemorrhagic fevers.

Hantavirus: spread by rodents, potentially fatal, with no specific cure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has moved to accelerate regulatory and scientific measures to curb lead exposure, with the Ministry of Science and Technology announcing plans for a dedicated lead-testing infrastructure and stronger product safety standards following high-level talks with a United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund (UNICEF) delegation. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi, accompanied by Federal Secretary Shahid Iqbal Baloch, held a meeting with a delegation led by Abdullah A. Fodil, Director of the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future (PLF), UNICEF. The meeting focused on the &ldquo;critical public health challenges posed by lead exposure,&rdquo; particularly its impact on maternal health, childhood development and the long-term well-being of citizens. The discussions centred on Pakistan&rsquo;s national priorities to address lead contamination, with participants stressing the need for preventive strategies and &ldquo;robust regulatory interventions&rdquo; to tackle the issue effectively, the statement said. A key proposal discussed during the meeting was the establishment of a Lead-Free Testing Laboratory at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in Karachi, with regional extensions planned in Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar. The proposed facilities would support research and development aimed at identifying lead prevalence and devising control and mitigation strategies across sectors, according to the official statement. The ministry said the meeting also underscored the need to strengthen regulatory frameworks under the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), particularly regarding permissible lead content in oil-based paints, cosmetics, including antimony surma, food items and other consumer products. Participants also called for improved monitoring of industrial practices to ensure compliance with national safety standards. Highlighting the importance of public engagement, the meeting emphasized national conferences, policy dialogues and awareness campaigns as essential tools in addressing the health and environmental risks linked to lead exposure. In this regard, the federal minister assured that the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) would launch a &ldquo;comprehensive series of awareness seminars&rdquo; to educate the public on the environmental and health hazards of lead exposure. The minister and the federal secretary reaffirmed that the collaboration represented &ldquo;a significant step toward achieving a healthier, safer, and lead-free future for the children of Pakistan,&rdquo; the statement added.

The meeting focused on the “critical public health challenges posed by lead exposure,” particularly its impact on maternal health, childhood development and the long-term well-being of citizens.

Pakistan moves to tighten lead safety, protect children’s health nationwide

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully concluded its second nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2026, vaccinating more than 44.7 million children nationwide, the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said on Monday.&nbsp;According to the EOC, the campaign was carried out with the support of thousands of frontline polio workers who ensured access to vaccination for children in both urban and remote areas.&nbsp;To further strengthen children&rsquo;s immunity, Vitamin A supplements were also administered alongside the oral&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-to-vaccinate-over-45m-children-in-antipolio-campaign" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">polio vaccine</a>&nbsp;during the campaign.&nbsp;Punjab recorded the highest number of vaccinations, with around 23.03 million children immunized, followed by Sindh with over 10.4 million and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with more than 7.15 million.&nbsp;In Balochistan, over 2.62 million children received polio drops, while more than 441,000 children were vaccinated in Islamabad. Gilgit-Baltistan recorded over 292,000 vaccinations, while approximately 717,000 children were immunized in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;The EOC said the active support of parents and local communities played a key role in the campaign&rsquo;s success and appreciated the timely cooperation of security agencies in ensuring smooth operations.&nbsp;It also thanked all partners and stakeholders for their contribution to the successful completion of the national polio drive.

Pakistan to run its second national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 from April 13 to April 19. (File photo: Polio Free Pakistan)

EOC says the active support of parents and local communities played a key role in the campaign’s success and appreciates the timely cooperation of security agencies in ensuring smooth operations.


Pakistan vaccinates over 44.7 million children in nationwide polio campaign

BUENOS AIRES: Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula have reached a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, and ice is melting at abnormal rates during the current winter, climate scientists told AFP on Thursday. Esperanza Base, an Argentine research station located in the north of the peninsula, recorded the unprecedented figure on June 6. The previous highest temperature on record for that month -- 13.3C -- dates back to 1998. The current heat also significantly exceeds Esperanza&#39;s June average of -6.2C. Such a figure is &quot;very unusual for this time of year,&quot; Jose Luis Stella, a climatologist at Argentina&#39;s National Meteorological Service, told AFP. Argentine bases Marambio and San Martin also recorded unequalled temperatures between June 5 and 6. Marambio recorded 11.8C, surpassing a previous high of 9.2C and its June average of -10.7C. San Martin meanwhile saw 9.4C compared to its previous 7.8C record and June average of -5.6C. &#39;Confirms a trend&#39;The northern Antarctic heatwave is not an isolated event, University of Groningen professor Raul Cordero told AFP. &quot;It confirms a trend,&quot; he said, warning that &quot;these kinds of events will continue to occur with increasing frequency&quot; if global warming is not derailed. Thomas Caton Harrison, a polar climate scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, believes a combination of factors including climate change resulted in the current heat. &quot;There is credible evidence that climate change is playing a role, but the effect is complex in this region,&quot; he said. &quot;Because Antarctica sees such big swings in temperature, we have to collect lots of data over many years to build a picture of the underlying climate.&quot; Both specialists agree that regional temperatures have been rising for years and are already showing visible effects. &quot;A surprising amount of precipitation has been falling as rain rather than snow,&quot; Caton Harrison said. &quot;This has implications for polar ecosystems such as penguin colonies,&quot; he said, adding that &quot;it poses a challenge to my colleagues working on Antarctic bases because a lot of liquid rain has been falling and creating runoff and ice.&quot; Esperanza Base has been recording above-zero temperatures daily for three consecutive weeks. This trend has caused &quot;large areas in the far north of the white continent to remain free of snow,&quot; according to Cordero, who called it &quot;an unusual scene in the Antarctic landscape during winter.&quot;

Climate

Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula reach a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, as ice melts at abnormal rates during the current winter.

Antarctic Peninsula sees record high June temperatures

MEXICO CITY: Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts&#39; bid for qualification from Group A got off to smooth start. South Africa meanwhile never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off. The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa&rsquo;s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams. A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups. South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena. But South Africa&rsquo;s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico&#39;s fans &nbsp;greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of &quot;Ole!&quot; in the opening minutes Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones&#39; opening goal. Sithole&#39;s miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico&rsquo;s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal. Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post. It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado. There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.

Football

Mexico launches World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca, while the visitors finish with nine men after two red cards.

Mexico beat South Africa to kick off World Cup

NEW YORK: Taylor Swift on Thursday became the youngest woman ever inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star&#39;s record-breaking career. The female record was previously held by Carole Bayer Sager, who was 43 when she joined in 1987. Stevie Wonder remains the youngest person ever admitted, at age 32 in 1983. Artists become eligible for the Hall of Fame 20 years after the release of their first commercial track. For Swift, that was &quot;Tim McGraw,&quot; released in June 2006. Her success since is undeniable: the American artist has recorded 12 albums spanning country, pop, and folk, earning her 14 Grammy Awards in the United States, including four Album of the Year trophies -- a record. &quot;Swift&#39;s ability to shapeshift as a songwriter, to inhabit different sonic landscapes and write as credibly in the world of one genre as she does another is part of her superpower as a songwriter,&quot; reads her bio on the Hall of Fame website. &quot;It also represents the boldness and bravery of her artistry: to explore new frontiers when the most practical next step would be to keep mining the material that has gotten you the success in the first place.&quot; Swift appeared on the red carpet in New York on Thursday wearing a strapless black dress with floral motifs ahead of the naming ceremony. &#39;Great honor&#39;Also inducted on Thursday were Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, the band behind hits such as &quot;Rock and Roll All Nite&quot; and &quot;Detroit Rock City.&quot; &quot;It doesn&#39;t suck,&quot; Stanley told AFP when asked how it felt to join the prestigious songwriting ranks. &quot;It&#39;s really hard to digest the idea. I certainly don&#39;t consider myself in that rarified air of some of the writers, but if you wanna be in that club, I&#39;m there.&quot; Kenny Loggins, the hitmaker behind movie soundtrack classics like &quot;Footloose&quot; and &quot;Danger Zone&quot; from &quot;Top Gun,&quot; was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. &quot;It&#39;s a great honor and I appreciate it,&quot; Loggins told AFP. &quot;It&#39;s the culmination of a lifetime writing, and that&#39;s exciting for me.&quot; Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, inescapable in the 1990s, and American record producer Walter Afanasieff were also among the total of nine songwriters joining the Hall of Fame this year. Estimates put Taylor Swift&#39;s worldwide sales at over 250 million album-equivalents. Her most recent tour in 2023 and 2024, titled &quot;The Eras Tour,&quot; brought in a record sum of around two billion dollars. She is also the female artist with the most songs ever to reach the top 10 list compiled by Billboard, the leading US music magazine. Swift is omnipresent in the media. After unveiling a country track for the soundtrack of the film &quot;Toy Story 5,&quot; she was at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for a game of the NBA Finals.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star's record-breaking career.

Taylor Swift becomes youngest woman in Songwriters Hall of Fame

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.<hr>Catch up: Yesterday&rsquo;s top developments<ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokesperson</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&lsquo;We&#39;ll probably have a signing in Europe,&rsquo; says Trump on Iran war</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Islamabad backs diplomacy, dialogue</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Three Indian sailors killed aboard ship hit by US off Oman</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Kremlin calls on US, Iran to &#39;return to negotiating table&#39;</li></ul><hr> Egypt urges US, Iran to seize &#39;available opportunity&#39; for deal after Trump cancels strikesPublished: June 12, 2026 | 03:49 GMT | by AFP Egypt urged the United States and Iran to seize what it called an &quot;available opportunity&quot; for a deal to end the war, after President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to carry out further strikes on Tehran. Cairo&#39;s foreign ministry said in a statement late Thursday it hoped &quot;the available opportunity will be seized to reach a deal on the various outstanding issues and to prepare the atmosphere for reaching an end to the war and beginning a new phase of regional stability&quot;. <hr> Trump says &lsquo;we ended the war with Iran today&rsquo;Published: June 12, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by Web Desk US President Donald Trump, during a tele-rally in support of Senate candidate Barry Moore, claimed that the war is now over, according to local media outlets. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, something that we, we insisted on,&rdquo; Trump said in the audio clip. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Japan, S. Korea markets jump after Trump cancels Iran strikesPublished: June 12, 2026 | 01:59 GMT | by AFP Japan&#39;s Nikkei share index soared more than three percent Friday after US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat of further strikes against Iran and said a deal to end the war could be signed in coming days. At around 0015 GMT the Nikkei 225 was up 3.5 percent, while South Korea&#39;s benchmark Kospi index jumped 7.59 percent. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Iran&rsquo;s FM spokesman condemns US attacks on Indian vesselsPublished: June 11, 2026 | 23:40 GMT | by Web Desk Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry Spokesman&nbsp;Esmaeil Baqaei&nbsp;condemned the US attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which killed at least three Indian nationals. In a post on X, he said that these attacks &quot;stand as clear evidence of America&rsquo;s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy.&quot; <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokespersonPublished: June 11, 2026 | 21:55 GMT | by Web Desk Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran has not made a final decision about a deal, according to Iran&rsquo;s official news agency&nbsp;IRNA. &quot;Once the relevant authorities reach a conclusion on the details of the draft text of an agreement, Iran&rsquo;s government will make a formal announcement,&quot; he said. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"> &lsquo;We&#39;ll probably have a signing in Europe,&rsquo; says Trump on Iran warPublished: June 11, 2026 | 20:05 GMT | by Web Desk US President Donald Trump on Thursday said a deal to end the Middle East war was nearing completion, describing it as a &ldquo;great settlement&rdquo; and indicating that a formal signing could take place in Europe within days once the remaining documents are finalized. &ldquo;We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,&rdquo; Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.&nbsp; &ldquo;Subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days, we&#39;ll probably have a signing, maybe in Europe.&rdquo;&nbsp; He added that the agreement would ensure &ldquo;Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,&rdquo; calling it the central objective of months of negotiations and conflict. Trump also said he believed Iran&#39;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the proposed arrangement.&nbsp; Asked whether Khamenei had personally given the green light, Trump replied: &ldquo;I understand the answer is yes.&rdquo; He described the agreement as &ldquo;a very strong memorandum of understanding.&rdquo; The US president said he had spoken with leaders from across the region, including Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, as diplomatic efforts intensified ahead of a possible signing ceremony.&nbsp; Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once the agreement is finalized and argued that the deal had already boosted market confidence, pointing to rising stock markets and falling oil prices. Trump also singled out Pakistan for its role in the diplomatic process, praising both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.&nbsp; &ldquo;Pakistan was fantastic,&rdquo; he said. Referring to Munir, Trump added: &ldquo;He&#39;s a great, great general. He&#39;s so great that he&#39;s actually a field marshal.&rdquo;&nbsp; Pakistan has played a central mediation role in recent months, hosting talks and maintaining engagement with Washington, Tehran and regional partners in support of a negotiated settlement. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Read our June 11 live blog for earlier developments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/middle-east-june-11-2026" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>

Middle East

Americas

Says a 'great settlement' with Iran has been reached and approved by Iran's Supreme Leader; Trump praises Pakistan for a 'fantastic role' in mediation, calling Field Marshal Asim Munir a 'great general'; Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson denies that any final decision on a deal with the US has been made.

Trump says Iran deal nearing signing, praises Pakistan's role

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected any attempt to draw a &ldquo;false equivalence&rdquo; between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while also raising concerns over India&rsquo;s expanding strategic capabilities. Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was addressing issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir within a &ldquo;democratic and constitutional framework&rdquo; and rejected recent remarks by the Indian leadership and its foreign affairs office. &ldquo;Any attempt to conflate the two is misleading and does not withstand objective scrutiny,&rdquo; Andrabi said. Responding to questions regarding Indian statements on AJK, the spokesperson said Pakistan rejected India&#39;s remarks &ldquo;in their entirety.&rdquo; &ldquo;It&rsquo;s untenable for a state like India, which has consistently denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination, to claim concerns over the rights of Kashmiris,&rdquo; he said. The remarks come amid continued tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, a longstanding issue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.&nbsp; Pakistan maintains that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir should be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The spokesperson said India&rsquo;s statements appeared aimed at diverting attention from the &ldquo;unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir&rdquo; and what he described as its &ldquo;abysmal record&rdquo; in IIOJK. &ldquo;We also reject any insinuation of a false equivalence between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; Andrabi said. &ldquo;Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an illegally annexed, internationally recognized disputed territory whose people have suffered systemic abuses under draconian laws and have been denied their rights, including the right to self-determination, as affirmed by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and as promised by the Indian founding fathers to the Kashmiri people,&rdquo; he added. Concerns over India&#39;s strategic capabilitiesThe Foreign Office also commented on a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report suggesting India may have altered aspects of its traditional nuclear posture by reportedly deploying nuclear warheads during peacetime alongside developments in missile systems. Andrabi said Pakistan did not wish to endorse SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology but noted that the findings were &ldquo;not surprising.&rdquo; &ldquo;We do not wish to endorse or lend credence to SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology. Its findings, nevertheless, are &lsquo;not surprising,&rsquo;&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan had consistently raised concerns regarding India&rsquo;s continued &ldquo;vertical proliferation.&rdquo; The spokesperson said open-source assessments might not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal. &ldquo;We also believe that open-source estimates, such as SIPRI&rsquo;s, may not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal, which may actually be higher than the existing estimates,&rdquo; he said. According to Andrabi, Pakistan remained &ldquo;cognizant of developments in India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities,&rdquo; including the canisterization of missile systems, the expansion of sea-based nuclear-capable submarines and the pursuit of longer-range missile systems extending beyond India&rsquo;s immediate region. &ldquo;These developments enhance operational readiness, complicate crisis stability, and carry implications that extend beyond South Asia, with grave consequences for international peace and security,&rdquo; he said. Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s position, Andrabi said the country did not seek an arms race. &ldquo;Pakistan does not seek an arms race and matching warheads or arms and ammunition by number. However, we remain mindful of the evolving security environment. We will continue to take measures essential for preserving strategic stability and deterring India&rsquo;s aggression,&rdquo; he said. The spokesperson urged the international community to closely monitor developments related to India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities and their potential impact on regional and global security. He also called on countries supplying advanced technologies to India to consider the wider implications of emerging capabilities being incorporated into India&rsquo;s strategic posture. &ldquo;These developments threaten consequences far beyond South Asia into the wider world,&rdquo; Andrabi said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan also voices concern over India's evolving strategic capabilities, saying recent assessments reinforce longstanding fears about regional stability and urging the international community to closely monitor developments with wider security implications.

‘False equivalence’: Pakistan rejects Indian remarks on Kashmir

PARIS: A leather bag made from Tyrannosaurus rex cells failed to sell on Thursday, the Paris auction house Drouot said, commenting that bids were well below expected. Auctioneers Giquello had touted the &quot;one-of-a-kind&quot; piece to sell for more than $500,000 but bids barely broke the $150,000 mark, said the Drouot house where the sale took place. Unveiled in the spring in Amsterdam, the bag was created from traces of collagen from the femur of a T‑Rex found in the US state of Montana 25 years ago. &quot;In recent years, we&#39;ve developed techniques -- biotechnologies that allow us to instruct a cell culture to produce, so to speak, genuine T‑Rex skin in the laboratory,&quot; Iacopo Briano, a palaeontology expert associated with the sale, recently told AFP. He noted the material differs from vegan leather, which is mostly made from plastic. &quot;In this case, it&#39;s derived from a cell culture, so it&#39;s 100 percent skin. And at the same time, it comes from an animal that went extinct 67 million years ago!&quot; he said. With no precedent to go on, Alexandre Giquello, whose auction house is organising the sale, explained they had to &quot;come up with a price&quot; that would reflect both the amount of investment required to create the bag and its rarity. Giquello estimated the value at between 300,000 and 500,000 euros ($346,000 to $576,000).

Wildlife

A handbag created from lab-grown material derived from Tyrannosaurus rex collagen fails to sell at auction, attracting bids far below expectations despite its rarity and estimated value of up to $576,000.

First leather bag made from T-Rex cells fails to sell at Paris auction

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday held funeral prayers for military personnel martyred in an army helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior civilian and military leaders attending the ceremony, according to the military&#39;s media wing. The funeral prayer was offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi for the martyrs of the Mi-17 helicopter crash, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. PM Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, senior civil and military officials, relatives of the martyrs, and members of the public attended the service. The crash occurred Wednesday near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during takeoff.&nbsp; The military said the helicopter went down because of a technical fault, and all personnel on board were martyred. A board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. Earlier in the day, a separate funeral service for two Christian soldiers martyred in the crash was held at Christ Church in Rawalpindi and attended by political and military leaders. The ceremonies highlighted the participation of Pakistan&#39;s diverse communities in national service and remembrance. Addressing the gathering, PM Sharif said the martyrs&#39; &quot;devotion to duty, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding the motherland will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.&quot; He said the sacrifices made by Pakistan&#39;s armed forces for &quot;peace, security, and national sovereignty can never be forgotten,&quot; and reaffirmed the nation&#39;s support for the families of the martyrs. The ISPR said the martyrs would be laid to rest in their respective hometowns with full military honors. Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Sharif expressed grief over the crash and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs. &quot;The entire nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the families,&quot; Zardari said in a statement. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed condolences, extending sympathies to the families of the personnel martyred in the accident. The military leadership, including Field Marshal Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior military commanders and government officials attended funeral prayers in Rawalpindi for army aviation personnel lost in the Mi-17 accident, while separate services were held for two Christian soldiers before burial with full military honors.

Pakistan honors helicopter crash martyrs at Rawalpindi funeral service

NEW YORK: Elon Musk&#39;s SpaceX on Thursday confirmed it will begin trading on the Nasdaq exchange Friday in the biggest initial public offering in history, a blockbuster market debut that could propel the entrepreneur to trillionaire status. In a filing with the US markets regulator, the company priced more than 555 million shares at $135 each, placing SpaceX among Wall Street&#39;s most elite companies with a valuation of just under $1.8 trillion. The offering will raise a record $75 billion, easily outranking Saudi Aramco&#39;s $29.4 billion debut in 2019, until now the biggest ever. Underwriters hold an option to buy nearly 83 million additional shares, which would push the total above $86 billion if exercised in full. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America led a syndicate of more than 20 banks on the deal. The space and rocket company, co-founded by Musk in 2002, will trade under the ticker symbol &quot;SPCX,&quot; with a parallel listing on Nasdaq Texas. All eyes will be on how Wall Street absorbs the offering, which could send tremors across global markets. As is traditional for high-profile debuts, executives are expected to ring the opening bell on Friday to mark the start of the session -- in this case at New York&#39;s Times Square, home of the Nasdaq. SpaceX will be the first out of the gates among the tech and AI giants eyeing public markets, with OpenAI and Anthropic expected to follow -- both having recently filed with regulators for their own market debuts. The IPO is Musk&#39;s biggest financial gamble yet, with his xAI company and the X social media platform (formerly Twitter) also included in the offering after the multi-billionaire folded them into the company earlier this year. The offering was more than four times oversubscribed by major banks and financial institutions, according to Bloomberg, with interest from everyday investors reported to also be high. More than 20 percent of the shares will be reserved for these retail investors, a far greater proportion than is typically allocated in IPOs, giving Musk&#39;s legions of fans a chance to buy a slice of the company. Data centers in spaceThe success of the IPO rests squarely on investors&#39; faith in Musk as a visionary entrepreneur. The tech multi-billionaire will serve as chief executive, chief technology officer and board chairman of the newly traded company. The IPO is expected to mint thousands of new millionaires and many billionaires, with former and current employees -- and a long list of investors -- from the company&#39;s near quarter-century history looking to cash in. The financials of the company are giving some on Wall Street pause, as the valuation largely depends on Musk delivering on promises worthy of science fiction, including putting data centers in space as well as people on Mars using as yet unproven technology. While the company is growing fast -- revenue hit $18.7 billion in 2025 -- it is also losing money, producing a net loss of $4.9 billion. In an extraordinary prediction, SpaceX&#39;s filing claims it can pull in over $28.5 trillion in revenue from its various markets. Musk&#39;s fortune on Thursday stood at $782 billion according to the Forbes list of the world&#39;s richest people, nearing three times the wealth of number two, Google co-founder Larry Page. A successful IPO could make him the first trillionaire in history on Friday.

Artificial Intelligence

SpaceX confirms a record $75 billion IPO, valuing the company at nearly $1.8 trillion, as investors back Elon Musk’s space, AI and long-term technology ambitions worldwide for growth.

SpaceX to make historic IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

LONDON: British Defense Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country. His shock resignation weakens Starmer&#39;s authority further at a precarious moment for the embattled Labour leader, a week before a by-election that could prompt a bid to replace him. In stinging criticism, Healey warned that Starmer&#39;s long-awaited Defense Investment Plan (DIP) for funding over the next decade&mdash;which the premier has yet to publish&mdash;risked making Britain &quot;less safe.&quot; &quot;You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,&quot; Healey wrote in a resignation letter to Starmer posted on his X account. &quot;After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation.&quot; Healey&#39;s sudden departure comes after months of delays to the defense plan, which Starmer has insisted he will publish before a NATO summit in Turkey beginning on July 7. Starmer&#39;s centre-left government, elected in July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule, has pledged to ramp up defense spending, with priority given to NATO commitments. The rise comes amid threats from Russia and as US President Donald Trump repeatedly urges NATO allies to spend more and become less reliant on Washington for security. &#39;Grave moment&#39;Starmer has vowed to raise defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product from next year, increasing to three percent if Labour wins the next general election, expected in 2029, before reaching 3.5 percent in 2035. British media has for weeks been reporting on behind-the-scenes battles within the government over the DIP settlement. In his resignation letter, Healey said he was first given full sight of DIP on Monday, and it sees defense spending rise to only 2.68 percent of GDP in 2030. A source close to the former defense secretary told AFP the deal offered by the Treasury did not put a date on the three percent commitment. The plan &quot;falls well short of what is required for defense and the country at this dangerous time,&quot; Healey wrote. &quot;Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.&quot; Tan Dhesi, chair of parliament&#39;s defence committee, said the government must take Healey&#39;s warning &quot;with the utmost seriousness&quot;. &quot;That a defence secretary of his integrity and commitment has felt compelled to resign in response to the inadequacy of the proposed defence settlement is a grave moment,&quot; the Labour MP said in a statement. Starmer faces political peril in next Thursday&#39;s contest when Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham stands for the Makerfield parliamentary seat. Both men have said they would participate in any Labour leadership race, although none has yet been triggered. Wes Streeting quit as health secretary last month following disastrous local and regional election results for Labour and has also said he would run in any future contest. Healey, 66, has been previously talked about as another potential contender, but there was no immediate suggestion that his resignation is linked to the leadership speculation. It &quot;underlines that Starmer has become a lame duck prime minister who cannot get decisions through his own government,&quot; Patrick Diamond, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, told AFP. The investment plan, originally due to be published in late 2025, has repeatedly been pushed back, to the frustration of industry and others. Healey&#39;s resignation &quot;creates a sequence of political headaches in terms of a replacement, and trying to get the defence investment plan published,&quot; said Ed Arnold, senior associate fellow at the RUSI think-tank. A government source insisted that Starmer had made Britain &quot;safer,&quot; adding the defense spending proposals &quot;will deliver the capability our armed forces need.&quot;

Europe

British Defense Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country

UK defense minister quits with stinging rebuke of PM Starmer

JERUSALEM: Radio France Internationale (RFI) condemned Thursday Israel&#39;s entry ban on French reporter Alice Froussard, who freelances for the station and other outlets, as &quot;an obstacle to press freedom&quot;. &quot;Israeli authorities have not provided any justification to RFI for this decision,&quot; the broadcaster said in a statement. &quot;RFI&#39;s management offers its full support to Alice Froussard and protests against this expulsion, which constitutes an obstacle to press freedom and comes at a time when journalists are facing increasing difficulties in covering current events in the region,&quot; it added.

Calls it an as "an obstacle to press freedom"